The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-09
Conservatives Growing Restive Because of the
Awkard and Embarrassing Position in
Which They Have Been Placed.
Continued Growth of Hostile Feeling Be-
tween the Germans and the French.
The Increasing Severity of German Rule in
Alsace-Lorraine Adding TO the National
Bitterness-General News by Cable.
THE DIsCoMFITED TORIES.
The Salisbury Ministry Considers the Pro
priety of Change of Tactics.

The Salisbury Ministry Considers the Pro-
priety of a Change of Tactics.
LONDON, May 8.-The Cabinet held a meeting
yesterday, for the especial purpose of reconsid
ering their policy on the privilege question. The
result of the conference is not yet known, but
the mere fact that a change of policy is deemed
worthy of discussion is significant of the uncom-
Portable position into which Lord Salisbury has
been forced by the blundering tactics of his lieu
tenants in the House of Commons. In minister
ial circles it is tacitly admitted that Friday
nights numerical victory was dearly bought
Outside of the Cabinet. the most severe critics of
the gov ernment's methods are found in theranks
of the Conservatives. On all sides are heard
loud denunciations of Mr.. William Henry Smith,
the Tory parliamentary leader, and his blunder-
ing misconduct of the debate has excited the
most intense indignation. Dir. Smiths utter
lack of tact at 1.-THE critical moment
when the Parnellte members offered to include
in the proposed inquiry every charge which any
mem ber could select from the Timess articles.
has brought down upon him very chorus of de-
nunciation from those who were, but a short
time ago, his best friends. The result of the de-
bate is complete triumph for the Parneliites
and plunge into the deepest possible disgrace
for the government Conservatives naturally
writhe under the full sense of their ignominious
defeat through fatuous mismanagem ent by their
party leaders, and the ministerialist circle is
equally depressed over the present position of
affairs. Hence the Cabinet has been driven to
try and discover some method to retrieve a dis
aster which threatens to sap its morale and al
ready leads to insubordination among some of
the warmest supporters of the party.
Yesterdays council furnishes ready illustra-
tion of the importance which Lord Salisbury
attaches immediate rearrangement of the
Tory programme on the question of privilege as
affected by the wauton attacks of the Times.
The government would now, without doubt. ac
cept an inquiry b. committee if it covered the
whole field of the charges, but it is doubtful
whether Mr.. Gladstone will permit the question
to be reopened. On this line he has maneuvered
the Ministry into false position, and it is
almost a certainty that he will do nothing to
relieve them. The failure of the House to agree
upon the appointment of committee to invest
gate the charges led section of Ghe Conservative
members to evince desire for the selection of a
legal commission composed of three or moro
English judges, whose shall be sub
mitted to the Parnelite members for
their approval before the appointments con
frmed. This commission, according to the IDEAS
of the promoters, should be empowered to hear
witnesses under oath. to deal with all of the
charges made against Irish members and pro-
nounce final judgment thereon The policy of the
Parnellite members indicates their refusal to
engage in further agitation of the question, and
that having secured great moral victory, they
will stoutly resist any move tending to reverse
the situation. The Gladstonians highly
elated, ard propose to celebrate their numeri cal
defeat but practical victory. by giving banquet
to Mr. Parnell; and the NatlonalLiberal Club
has organized committee to make arrange
ments for the affair, which is designed to serve
2 h0 hnlh "a ny1Yn n Fri
umph and proclaning the complete alliance of
the Gladstonians with the Parnellites.